Lake Nona, a master-planned community in Orlando, is getting ready to welcome a new lifestyle shopping center that will offer a variety of retail options for residents and visitors. The project, called Lake Nona West, is being developed by Tavistock Development Co., the same company behind Lake Nona Town Center and other innovative projects in the area.
What is Lake Nona West?
Lake Nona West is a 405,100-square-foot retail center that will be built on a vacant, 54.3-acre portion of Parcel 18A of Lake Nona’s development plan. The site for the project is near Lake Nona Boulevard’s intersection with Boggy Creek Road, just south of State Road 417 and Orlando International Airport.
The project was announced by Tavistock on July 26, 2023, when the developer submitted site plans to the city of Orlando. The plans show that the center will have a mix of large and small tenants, including a 150,000-square-foot anchor store, a 50,000-square-foot grocery store, a 30,000-square-foot cinema, and several restaurants and shops.
The project is expected to break ground in 2024 and open in fall 2025. It will be one of the largest retail developments in the region and will complement the existing Lake Nona Town Center, which features hotels, office buildings, entertainment venues, and more.
Why is Lake Nona West important?
Lake Nona West is important for several reasons. First, it will provide more shopping and dining options for the residents of Lake Nona and its surrounding areas, who are eager for more amenities and convenience. Lake Nona is one of the fastest-growing communities in Orlando, with a population of over 20,000 people and a projected growth of 44% by 2025.
Second, it will attract more visitors and tourists to the area, especially those who are traveling to or from the Orlando International Airport, which is only minutes away from the site. The airport is one of the busiest in the world, with over 50 million passengers annually. Lake Nona West will offer them a place to shop, eat, relax, and enjoy before or after their flights.
Third, it will create more jobs and economic opportunities for the local community. The project is estimated to generate over $1 billion in economic impact over 10 years and create over 2,000 jobs during construction and operation. The project will also benefit from the Brightline high-speed rail service that will connect Orlando to Miami and Tampa by 2026.
What are some of the potential tenants for Lake Nona West?
While Tavistock has not officially confirmed any tenants for Lake Nona West yet, there are some rumors and speculations about who might occupy the space. One of the most likely candidates is Target, which is reportedly in talks with the developer to build a new store at Lake Nona West. Target is one of the most popular retail chains in the country, with over 1,900 stores nationwide. A Target store at Lake Nona West would be a major draw for shoppers and would fit well with the lifestyle theme of the center.
Another possible tenant is Publix, which is a leading grocery chain in Florida and the Southeast. Publix already has several stores in Orlando, including one at Lake Nona Landing, another shopping center developed by Tavistock. A Publix store at Lake Nona West would provide more convenience and variety for grocery shoppers and would compete with other grocery chains in the area.
Other potential tenants could include Cinemark, which is one of the largest movie theater operators in the world; Starbucks, which is a global leader in coffee and beverages; Chipotle, which is a popular fast-casual restaurant chain; and Ulta Beauty, which is a specialty retailer of beauty products and services.
These are just some of the possible tenants that could fill up Lake Nona West. Tavistock has said that it will announce more details about the project as it progresses.
